Discussions of Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become an Empty Nose Victim! by Christopher Martin. It is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. This winner of the Independent Publisher Book Award 2008, Bronze Medalist, offers an inspiring account of ENS, a critique of nasal surgery, and effective treatment strategies for ENS, which can effectively help you treat just about ANY nose or sinus problem.

Does this book pique your interest?

Christopher Martin

Welcome to the ENS Book Blog...

My name is Chris Martin and I am a school psychologist from Upstate New York and empty nose sufferer of 10 years. I would like to welcome you to the blog for discussing Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim! I wrote this book out of a desire to raise awareness of ENS to a new level and also in part because there were so few resources for ENS sufferers. While writing it, I learned that many of the strategies for treating ENS could actually be very beneficial for a host of nasal and sinus problems. This book is part testimonial and part informational. Who could benefit from this book? Treatment strategies in it could significantly help those with ENS, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, postnasal drip, acid reflux, and/or asthma (pretty much anyone with kleenex in the house). An unbiased review of medical literature could empower those considering nose or sinus surgery. The testimonial and scientific journey of ENS could inform ENT specialists and plastic surgeons; scientists studying regenerative medicine; and families and friends.

About Me

Friday, January 4, 2008

It has been a couple weeks since I wrote last because my computer monitor totally crashed shortly before my third child, Luke, was born. I bought a monitor earlier this week - wow, was it expensive. I am told I got a deal, as a kind friend referred me to it and I paid $125 for it. Yet most cost more! For the price of most monitors, you might as well buy a new computer. Anyway, I'm glad to be up and running again...and posting.

Each year I excitedly set before me New Year's Resolutions. This year, I have three resolutions: the first is to spend more time doing Christian devotions with my family each night; the second is to spend more time reading the Bible with my wife after my children go to sleep; and the third is to rid myself of sinusitis and allergies once and for all. Although I cannot regenerate the turbinate tissue that was removed, and thus have to suffer the effects of the turbinectomy to some extent, I CAN control the sinusitis and allergies to a large extent. It's going to be a real challenge, but I believe it can be largely cured.

The main areas in which I really need to improve in order to control my sinusitis include 1) improving my diet - e.g., I have been taking many herbal supplements, eating more vegetables, and decreasing the amount of dairy food of late - and developing a fitness program. I have been reading "Fitness Your Way" by Jim Lafountain. Jim is the athletic director where I work and owner of the All-American Fitness Center in New Hartford. I would strongly recommend reading his book that is chok full of practical suggestions on how to begin developing a fitness plan to meet your particular needs. You can buy it at amazon.com. This book has so much useful information on fitness that I can't believe I was following some of the lies that the media promotes. One such lie is what Jim calls the myth of mindless miles. Basically, this belief amounts to the fact that more is better when it comes to running. Jim reminds the reader that our legs will tire and like a vehicle, will experience much wear and tear over time, causing knee injuries to the chronic runner. He notes that while mild discomfort is to be expected, pain should not be tolerated in a fitness plan. He notes a mixture of running, walking, biking and - yes, stretching, might help you meet your cardiovascular needs. That's a simplification, but you get the gist. Jim recommends ensuring that your fitness plan has three components - cardiovascular, stretching, and resistance training (strength training), but that often people focus on just one aspect of fitness, excluding the other two. This is a mistake, in his opinion. His book is really a great book, and I would heartily recommend it for getting help developing a fitness plan on your terms.

Finally, I would like to kick out a thank you to Dr. Winston Vaughn of San Francisco, California. Dr. Vaughn trained at Stanford Medical School and, according to his online resume, is also on the Board of the American Rhinologic Society. Given his connections, now I know why he thought my book was having an impact among the ENTs. Clearly, he is a distinguished professional. So why do I kick out a big thank you? Dr. Vaughn enjoyed reading Having Nasal Surgery? so much that he bought 10 copies of it. He plans to share these copies with those in his journal club and with other ear, nose and throat specialists. That is wonderful. It is a great feeling to win the respect of intelligent people. I learned of this because one of his patients told me. Thank you so much, Dr. Vaughn, and I hope the other specialists enjoy the book as much as you did. And I hope they buy a number of copies for their fellow doctors and colleagues. I and other empty nose sufferers much appreciate your attention to and support of this worthy cause of empty nose syndrome.